Mohamed bin Zayed attends UAE Armed Forces celebration of Unification Day anniversary

Abu Dhabi (WAM): His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, this evening attended the celebration organised by UAE Armed Forces at the Armed Forces Officers' Club to mark its 38th Unification Day anniversary. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was greeted upon arrival by Mohamed Ahmed Al Bawardi Al Falasi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of UAE Armed Forces, military commanders and high-ranking officers. In his remarks, His Highness the Crown Prince conveyed greetings on the occasion from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to all members of the Armed Forces, and commended all of the branches and formations for their high levels of efficiency, modernisation and excellent performance and readiness in their efforts to continue the progress of the Union and to protect national gains. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed emphasised that the Armed Forces are a source of pride for the leadership and people of UAE He prayed to Allah Almighty to protect the security, safety, stability, well-being, growth and prosperity of the nation. In his speech, Lt. General Al Rumaithi thanked His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces for honouring the Armed Forces' celebration. "On this glorious occasion we all renew allegiance to our wise leadership and affirm our determination on remaining the immune shield of our generous and prosperous nation and the loyal soldier who fulfil their promise with full devotion to duty." He described the unification of the UAE Armed Forces as a crucial stage and step that would not have been possible without the farsighted vision of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the efforts made later by the leaderships of the Armed Forces. He made commended the efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces which advanced the Armed Forces to Lt. General Al Rumaithi noted that the Armed Forces are concluding a crucial phase of the process of building during which it adopted a clear military strategy built on guidance by its command on working on highly important and firm principles including the development of practical and physical strength of personnel, advancing them to profession, boosting their national spirit and morale, re-organising the major branches and formations to cope with the nature and type of missions, building technical support and logistic supply facilities to provide sustainability for them as they execute their missions. He added that the directives from the supreme command also included the laying of the foundations for a military industrial base in order to possess the capability of supporting the demands of the forces in terms of armament and technical support. This represents a gateway for technology transfer, benefiting from the experiences of others, he said adding that a large part of equipment and ammunition of the highest quality is produced today locally by national companies and national experts. Lt. General Al Rumaithi noted that the coming phase will advance the Armed Forces to new horizons on the way to achieve ambitions and keep up with the aspirations of the leadership for overall development. – Emirates News Agency, WAM